Coombe Mill Blog

"Tales from the farmers wife" shares the funny and interesting happenings on our lovely holiday farm with Farmer Nick and our 6 children. A behind the scenes look on balancing family, farming, the holiday business and cooking for all.

Weekly Farm Photo

I took this photo on Friday morning as we came back to Coombe Mill after a few days away seeing family. It was clear that our ever popular fairy gardens had been well used and and much enjoyed over the week as so much had been moved around in here. This central clearing has become a focal point with... Read more

Country Kids from Coombe Mill

Carnival Fun
July and August are the carnival months in Cornwall. This is a local tradition taken very seriously as each village and town hosts its own carnival, the floats often tour several carnivals as there is one a week working across North Cornwall. We have joined in our local village and nei... Read more

Make Holiday Packing Fun for Kids

The summer is well and truly here and plenty of you will already have taken holidays and mini breaks or have them planned over the coming weeks. Packing for all the family can be a chore and as a busy working Mum I was always keen for my children take responsibility for their own things at a very yo... Read more

The Alpaca Striptease Show

It is that time of year again when our larger than life, somewhat scary alpaca need shearing. There are only 7 fully qualified alpaca shearers in the country and only one we have found in Cornwall. Booking him means planning in advance. However there is one thing that will prevent the ... Read more

What is #SBS?

Back in 2011 I was one of the lucky six chosen by Theo Paphitis as his favoured small business of the week. This placed me in the Small Business Sunday club which Theo heads and is designed to give friendly boost from a man respected in the business world. There is a web site for members packed with helpful advice and information and a family of members who are a great support.

Photo from 2012 Conference

Annual Conference for #SBS

Last week I made the journey from Cornwall to the ICC in Birmingham for the 2nd ever #sbs conference. I knew it was one I had to attend after I came home from the first eighteen months ago full of ideas and enthusiasm for Coombe Mill. This time was bigger and better, not only were there more people who have joined the #sbs family, but the planning and delivery of the day had stepped up a gear too. Theo Paphitis is the most inspirational speaker who can inspire with a message straight from the heart and talk with authority from first hand experience. There were opportunities oozing for all us small business owners within the scheme, a huge question and answer session and a raft of new #sbs sponsors to make the whole day possible. I managed to wave my arm high enough and ask a question to see what we could expect from Theo on TV now that he is no longer part of Dragons Den. It sounds like watch this space as he could be popping up shortly though he wasn't giving away when or where!

To anyone with a fledgling business, a small family business or a business who just feels they need a little spark and helping hand to lift them a peg or two, then I can't recommend enough trying to enter for #sbs accreditation. It costs nothing to enter and there is everything to gain. Details are all here on the sbs website. The moment when my tweet came back is one I will never forget.

Networking: Friends old and new

Small businesses covering services and products were represented by the hundreds present on the day. The networking sessions were a great chance to find out more about other people's businesses, challenges, struggles and successes and learn from one another.

For me it was a real bonus to discover people with businesses alighted to my blog who I hope to work with in the future like Aly from The Rainy Day Box Company and Jennifer from Skribbies, both of whom have great products for children.

Just for fun

Travelling to Birmingham and back in a day is just too much from Cornwall so I travelled with Karen from Just Bunting and Helen from Fenteroon Cottages the day before. Meeting up with Aycin from B-organic Skin we took advantage of a little shopping in Birmingham and a night out on the town. It really is a beautiful City and thank you ladies for some excellent company, next year I will have you ice skating not just watching and admiring!

The whole trip was quite exhausting but thoroughly enjoyable and I hope to be able to do it all again next year. A huge thanks Theo, his team and the sponsor companies for setting up the day, providing a lovely buffet and all without charging anyone to attend. This level of generosity is really special and so appreciated. My Final thanks goes to Boden Clothing who sponsored my lovely dress for the day, beats my farm gear any day!

I have set this post up as a blog hop in case anyone one else has a post from the day. Just add your post and grab the code this way we can all read each others take on the day and I can see just how many lovely people I managed to miss!

Tomorrow is Special

Tomorrow is the first #SBS meet up from Theo Paphitis of Dragon's Den and as a proud winner back in October last year I am braving the fuel crises and making the Journey from Cornwall to Birmingham with fellow winner Karen Daveyto meet some lovely business people I interact with here on the blog and on Twitter.

So here are some of the people and Businesses I am hoping to meet tomorrow:

Lights Out BlindsAnne has a great concept in portable black out blinds. We support her Business here at Coombe Mill offering her lovely blinds for parents on holiday with us. You can buy the blinds from her site directly:http://www.lightsoutblinds.com/

They offer great outdoor play equipment and more for Kids. A lovely site and lovely people I am looking forward to meeting. Another great match with Coombe Mill

♥ Martina ♥ at http://www.mycraftycandles.co.uk/ She can do the most creative things with Candles for the home or as gifts and is coming from the #SBS event tomorrow to Coombe Mill on holiday!

A Special Mention

Bondie Birdwho has the gorgeous Playwrap designed from birth for babies. A wonderful 3 in 1 devise perfect for Mums and Dads to take anywhere to keep babies happy. We are proud to have one to borrow at Coombe Mill, just ask when you arrive. You can see more about the Play wrap on their site here http://www.bondiebird.com/. I hope they will be at the next #SBS gathering as I would love to meet them.

Do have a look at all the above who are all working hard with their small businesses.

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Please share our family farm holidays, I'd be so proud

Coombe Mill

"Tales from the farmers wife" shares the funny and interesting happenings on our lovely holiday farm with Farmer Nick and our 6 children. A behind the scenes look on balancing family, farming, the holiday business and cooking for all.

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